Immunohistochemical detection of estrogen and progesterone receptors in spermatozoa of infertile men.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical implication of sex steroidal actions on human spermatozoa.


METHODS
Human spermatozoa were obtained from 20 males. Immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) was conducted by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method.


RESULTS
Positive immunohistochemical staining of ER and PR was observed in all 8 cases of fertile couples. From infertile couples, ER were detected in 8/12 cases, including 3 with normozoospermia, 2 with oligozoospermia, 1 with asthenozoospermia, and 2 with teratozoospermia, but not in 4/12 cases, 1 with normozoospermia, 1 with asthenozoospermia, and 2 with oligoasthenozoospermia. PR were undetectable in all cases of negative ER and in 1 case (normozoospermial) of positive ER.


CONCLUSIONS
Negative ER and/or PR in spermatozoa from infertile couples might be involved in cases of male infertility.
Misao
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Niwa
K
K
Morishita
S
S
Fujimoto
J
J
Nakanishi
Y
Y
Tamaya
T
T
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone